A University of Arizona scientist says allegations that she misused the blood of member of the Havasupai Tribe are "hysterical."

Therese Markow, currently the director of the UA Center for Insect Science, used blood samples collected by researchers to publish studies on the alleged genetic origins of the tribe and schizophrenia within the tribe.

But the tribe and tribal members say she was never given approval to do that. They have filed two lawsuits seeking a total of $60 million in damages.

Also targeted are two other researchers who collected the samples and published a study on diabetes. The tribe and tribal members had consented to the diabetes work but say the researchers went along with Markow's unauthorized studies.

The cases are proceeding in federal court but a judge has dismissed some of the claims in the suit filed by individual tribal members.

Get the Story:
UA scientist named in two suits by Havasupai Tribe, members (The Arizona Daily Star 3/24)

Related Stories:
ASU refutes claims of misuse of tribal members' blood (03/18)
Havasupai Tribe files $50M suit over misuse of blood (3/16)
Havasupai tribal members sue over use of blood (3/1)